MIRFIN IMPRESSED BY AUSTRIAN TRAINING CAMP

United defender David Mirfin says he’s been nothing but impressed with the location the Iron are conducting their pre-season training camp in Austria from.

Mirfin and his teammates arrived in Austria on Saturday and the 31-year-old says the work has been tough, but beneficial.

Speaking to The Iron PlayerHD, Mirfin said: “I’ve never been to this resort before, and I’ve been really impressed with the set-up and the quality of the pitches. The surroundings are something I’ve never really experienced before - so it’s been really good.

“Also with it being a slightly higher altitude, I wasn’t having difficulty, but I could tell a little difference in my breathing. So little stuff like that just makes it that bit harder, but we know it’s going to be a hard week, and we expect it.

“I didn’t expect it to be as hot as it was. It was hot and muggy too, which obviously makes it harder.”

Evaluating pre-season as a whole so far, the Iron centre back is pleased with how things are shaping up ahead of the new campaign.

He stated: “It’s been good. The preparation which goes into pre-season now is done weeks and months in advance. So everyone knows what they’re doing and everything’s organised for us,” he said.

“This means we have to basically turn up and work as hard as we possibly can. It’s been a good ten days up to now, and with there being not so many wholesale changes players-wise, I think that’s made it easier.”

United play the first of two matches in Austria on Tuesday when they take on Union UNIS Gschwandt (5.30pm kick-off UK time), before completing their trip with a fixture against Second Division side FC Liefering (also 5.30pm kick-off UK time) and, in Mirfin’s eyes, both are just what everyone in the squad needs at this present moment.

Mirfin explained: “You’re getting to a stage now where you’re wanting your games to get your match sharpness and fitness, and that’s the only way you’re going to get that sharpness back, by playing games.

“So everyone’s looking forward to it, and it’ll be nice to do it against a different team."